What am I doing wrong? (Page 3): Be careful, several people have suggested using manual focus - which is a terrible idea on a digital camera. The focusing screens, unlike those found...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

igor wrote:

When I am taking a portrait the camera focuses and refocuses back and forth before it snaps the photo. What am I doing wrong?.

Be careful, several people have suggested using manual focus - which is a terrible idea on a digital camera. The focusing screens, unlike those found in film cameras, are not great in good light, and terrible in bad light. However, if you decide to go manual focus, then one of these may work with your camera:

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Leitz wrote:

It's easier to maintain your focus point by setting it manually, then compose your shot.

I too find it easiest to use Manual Setting & Spot Focus on one eye in Portraits.
Craig

frangeo Loc: Texas

igor wrote:

When I am taking a portrait the camera focuses and refocuses back and forth before it snaps the photo. What am I doing wrong?.

On my Nikon I have focus lock. Focus and hold the focus lock button and shoot. Bam, quick exposure!!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Igor is a new photographer and remembering what is was like being a new DSLR photographer he lacks the vocabulary. Being relatively new to UHH he is just learning how to express his questions. Many gave good replies trying to help. On the other hand, a few went out of their way to embarrass and humiliate him. We do have a responsibility to help them learn how to frame their questions but in a way that is a little more understanding of where they are coming from. I worked for Dr. Phil McGraw for a while and he impressed upon me to "always meet people where they're at." I hope we didn't push Igor under a rock. This is just my opinion.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

DavidPine wrote:

Igor is a new photographer and remembering what is... (show quote)

:thumbup: Well said

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

DavidPine wrote:

Igor is a new photographer and remembering what is... (show quote)

And in the process, those "embarrassers" and "humiliators" have raised there "bully" flags. Igor - don't let the noise get to you, there are those that will help you, and there will be others that have no interest whatsoever in helping. You'll figure out who they are soon enough. :) If you become uncomfortable with a question, you can always send a PM to anyone who you trust will give you a solid answer to your question, regardless of how you've asked it.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Gene51 wrote:

And in the process, those "embarrassers" and "humiliators" have raised there "bully" flags. Igor - don't let the noise get to you, there are those that will help you, and there will be others that have no interest whatsoever in helping. You'll figure out who they are soon enough. :) If you become uncomfortable with a question, you can always send a PM to anyone who you trust will give you a solid answer to your question, regardless of how you've asked it.

I have to agree with Gene, my verbiage is often clumsy and not well thought out.
Gene not only has the expertise in the field of photography but in giving good advice in a forum like this one.
Craig

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

CraigFair wrote:

I have to agree with Gene, my verbiage is often clumsy and not well thought out.
Gene not only has the expertise in the field of photography but in giving good advice in a forum like this one.
Craig

Thanks, Craig!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Gene51 wrote:

And in the process, those "embarrassers" and "humiliators" have raised there "bully" flags. Igor - don't let the noise get to you, there are those that will help you, and there will be others that have no interest whatsoever in helping. You'll figure out who they are soon enough. :) If you become uncomfortable with a question, you can always send a PM to anyone who you trust will give you a solid answer to your question, regardless of how you've asked it.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

dpullum wrote:

Perhaps repetitious the only thing bordering on rude was being rude to the people who replied with out information regarding camera, lens, etc... by saying to them that "They are "enabling" bad communications. The first reply should have stated that the thing you are doing wrong is not giving any information to those you are asking for help."

Yes, as a matter of fact, you were rude to those who proposed a solution without asking for details. I've worked with AF cameras since the F3AF was introduced. I think I have enough experience to make an educated guess as to why an AF camera/lens searches. Sometimes the solution does not require a complete inventory. When someone with a film camera tells me that a roll of film is blank and the rewind only took two turns of the rewind knob, I've got a pretty good idea that they missed the take-up spool with the leader. I don't need to know what camera because I've made the same mistake with just about every major (and a lot of minor) brand since the early 1950's. When someone asks a question that has a fairly obvious answer, the type of camera may be none of your ###### business. Too often I've seen OP's answer such questions and then have to listen to arrogant jerks telling them they just bought the wrong/worst/cheapest brand/model!
NLNODB (Not Laughing, Not One Damn Bit)

rbfanman

You are probably set on autofocus, and bits of dust, flies, etc, blow into view of the camera's sensors, and the lens re-focuses on them. Shut off the autofocus, and focus manually.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Igor seems to have left the thread. I am going to venture a guess that he is using a kit lens that does not focus well at close range. He needs to get further away fom the subject. But since he is not participating in the discussion, it is probably pointless advice.

igor Loc: North Carolina

Yes I did leave the discussion. I am new at this and some of you just seem to be showing off. Thanks anyway.

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

igor wrote:

Yes I did leave the discussion. I am new at this and some of you just seem to be showing off. Thanks anyway.

I'm sorry your question was answered with a lot of the nonsense that gets posted in the General Photography discussions. If you want to get in an electronic pissing match, this is the section to do it in.

That said, I agree that it looks like you were probably just a bit too close for your lens to focus. Try backing up a bit.

Another tip if you stick around, never bother opening a post that has "something VS something" in the title. It will be a massive waste of time.

igor Loc: North Carolina

Thanks